7 Exceptional Nashville Restaurants To Try When You're Dining Out On A Budget
By Meghan Kraft|Published February 16, 2022
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Meghan Kraft
Author
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
There’s something celebratory about a meal out on the town, whether you’re indulging in a good burrito or perhaps a burger fresh off the grill. It’s fun to sit at a table that’s not your own, to people watch and chat with your family in a brand-new atmosphere. Here in Nashville, Tennessee, you can enjoy a meal out and about for just a handful of dollars around town. We’ve highlighted seven restaurants that run the gamut from tacos to New York-style pizza that are great for folks on a budget. How many of these budget-friendly restaurants in Nashville have you been to?
Mas Tacos is in East Nashville, Tennessee, and the Mexican street taco concept began as a food truck almost ten years ago. The restaurant has since rocketed to the top of tourist lists for its quality tacos and soups available for just a few dollars. You can enjoy chicken tacos and specials like fried avocado tacos for around $3 each, and the tortilla soup for $5 is legendary.
Bring a friend and you can enjoy a meal at Mas Tacos for roughly $12 out for both of you, depending on what you order. The East Nashville favorite is currently open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays. Mas Tacos is not open on Sundays. Find more information here.
If you’re looking for real, traditional country music on Honkytonk Highway in downtown Nashville you’ll want to head to Robert’s Western World. The music venue and eatery has been a favorite for years, mainly for the ice-cold beer and fried bologna sandwiches available daily.
The "Honky Tonk Grill" serves a variety of burgers, sandwiches, and indulgent appetizers for an affordable price. You can expect to pay $10 for a cheeseburger basket, and beers are $6 each. If you’re really looking to keep it cheap, you can take advantage of the beer domestic specials available daily for just $2.50 a beer. Robert’s Western World is open from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. daily. Find more information here.
Baja Burrito is a locally owned and operated burrito shop situated in Nashville’s Berry Hill neighborhood. Funky, fresh, and fun, the restaurant serves Mexican street food. Expect a menu full of nachos, tacos, and burritos for under $10. The build-your-own meal format, similar to corporate giant Chipotle, makes it easy for you to order exactly what you’re craving.
The colorful restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating and is a great spot for families. Baja Burrito is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant is not open on Sundays. Find more information here.
Five Points Pizza is one of the most popular pizza places in Nashville, Tennessee for its New York-style slices and fabulous beer and wine list. Of course, if you’re eating on a budget, you’ll want to take advantage of the weekday lunch specials, served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a two-slice special for just $9, a menu option that provides you two slices of pizza and a drink, or snag a slice and salad combo for the same price.
Happy Hour Specials are served from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the week and include a slice of standard pizza, cheese, or pepperoni, plus a High Life or PBR for just $5. Five Points Pizza offers a few other special options throughout the week, so make sure to ask! The family-friendly pizza joint is open daily beginning at 11 a.m. Find more information here.
Dino’s Bar is located off Gallatin Avenue in East Nashville, Tennessee, and it’s known as the oldest dive bar in the area. You’ll find a diner-esque menu that boasts cheesy burgers, chili fries, and ice-cold beer on-site. Dino’s recently expanded its indoor seating to include a back patio, and it’s an exceptional place to enjoy unpretentious meals in a low-key environment.
Expect to pay under $15 a meal per person, and if you’re really trying to keep it tight you can snag a simple burger and fries for a mere $7. Dino’s Bar hours fluctuate, so make sure you check before you visit. Find more information here.
Elliston Place Soda Shop serves a classic meat-and-three meal in Nashville’s Midtown neighborhood. Known as one of the oldest restaurants in the city, this traditional diner serves solid meals in a 1950s style space that has everything from a jukebox to a red-and-white patterned floor.
Every meal is cooked from scratch, and you can expect burgers, sandwiches, and starters like fried green tomatoes. Breakfast is served all day as well, and the pancakes are legendary. Visit Elliston Place Soda Shop from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. Find more information here.
Brown’s Diner is a family-run eatery that has been operating in the Nashville area since 1927. The humble restaurant is tucked away on Blair Boulevard, just beyond the ultra-popular 12 South neighborhood. The iconic burger joint is in what was once a trolley car, and it’s known as a historic gem in the city.
Expect a $7 barbecue sandwich and a double hamburger for just $11.25. The decadent fish sandwich is just $8.25, and an order of French fries will set you back a mere $4.50 for a large, steaming basket. Brown’s Diner opens at 10:45 daily. Find more information here.
What a great list of budget-friendly restaurants in Nashville! Music City may welcome cutting-edge eateries every month, but there’s something about a friendly mom-and-pop spot that really hits the spot. Bring the kids or come alone, these local restaurants are perfect for one and all.
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